Bloody Mary Philodendron
Philodendron,  Plant Care,  Propagation

Bloody Mary Philodendron

The bloody mary philodendron needs careful watering and plenty of indirect sunlight, read on for more detail…

Bloody Mary Philodendron Summary

Light needs:Bright but indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:Water once the top half-finger depth of soil is dry.
Fertilizer:A balanced fertilizer every 2 or 3 weeks in the summer.
Soil:A rich well draining potting compost.
Humidity:50%.
Temperature:16-28°C (61-82°F).
Where to buy:Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy.
Common issues:Overwatering and underwatering.

Introduction

The Bloody Mary Philodendron is a burgundy red-stemmed philodendron with dark green leaves but the new leaves grow out red, this is a dream plant on many collectors’ wish lists! The good news is that bloody mary philodendron care is easy enough to care for as long as you meet a few care requirements…

See also: Philodendron SplendidPhilodendron White Knight, Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight.

Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.

A note about affiliate links: when you buy a plant, pots, soil, or other goods through links on this article we sometimes earn a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything, but it really helps us out if you do use them. Thanks a lot! An example of this is if you buy a plant on Etsy using this link. Read our privacy policy for more information. Thanks again.

Bloody Mary Philodendron Light Needs

Bloody mary philodendrons will thrive in bright but indirect sunlight, they will also do well in lower light areas of your home, but may get more leggy. Just move them closer to the window if they do get leggier stems.

How Often to Water

You should check your bloody mary once a week to see if it needs watering, but only water it if at least the top half-finger depth of soil is dry. Philodendrons like this do not want to get water logged, if in doubt: leave the watering a bit longer. Do not flush philodendrons with loads of water, I give mine just enough until water drips out the bottom of the pot. I then leave the plant 10 minutes and tip out any excess water from the external container. This helps to avoid root rot, which can develop really quickly in philodendrons.

Tip: they can get root rot easily so do not let it sit in wet soil – you must let all water drain off after watering before putting it back in it’s external container.

Fertilizer

You can use a balanced fertilizer every two or three weeks in the summer growing months. Make sure it is well diluted as you can get fertilizer burn sometimes.

Soil

Use a rich potting compost which is well draining. You can add some perlite to improve drainage to ensure it does not sit in water.

For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: Philodendron Soil.

Bloody Mary Philodendron – When To Repot

The best time of year to repot is in spring, before the growing season, although you can repot throughout the year. Repot them when they outgrow their current pot.

Humidity

Philodendrons like 50% humidity which is the higher end of household humidity (most households are 30-50%). Give them a misting two or thee times a week.

Temperature

Philodendrons do well in the 16-28°C (61-82°F) range. Normal household temperature is 20°C to 25°C (68-77°F), so these plants will do well in most households. Just don’t let them get down to below 10°C (50°F), as this can damage the plant.

Bloody Mary Philodendron

How To Propagate A Philodendron Bloody Mary

To propagate a Bloody Mary Philodendron you can use soil, water or sphagnum as a medium, and then follow these steps:

  • Take a cutting from the plant. Top cuts (‘behadings’) are best – the top of the plant with new growth. Make sure it has some leaves and at least one node, as this is where the roots will grow from.
  • Put the cutting in the medium (either jar of water, pot of soil or a cup filled with wet sphagnum moss).
  • Place the pot in a warm and bright window sill that does not have direct sunlight but plenty of indirect.
  • Let the cutting root for up to two months, keeping the medium moist (or keeping the water topped up). Once rooted it should start to put out leaf growth more quickly.
  • If you use water or sphagnum you can see the root growth, and once it has plenty of roots established you can pot it on to soil.

Personally I prefer using sphagnum as you get the best of both worlds, you get a medium that the plants can root it that is constantly moist but that also gets air on the roots, and at the same time does not rot easily.

We go into more detail on on propagating philodendrons, in our guide here: How To Propagate Philodendron.

Philodendron Bloody Mary Vs Majesty

They can me mistaken for each other sometimes but the black majesty has much more glossy, rubbery leaves, the bloody mary has a duller finish.

Bloody Mary Philodendron Vs Red Emerald

They are very simialr plants, but bloody mary has much darker stems.

Is It A Climbing Or Crawling Philodendron

The Philodendron Bloody Mary is a climbing philodendron.

Bloody Mary Philodendron USDA Zone

They can grow outdoors year-round in zones 9b-11.

Where To Buy

Philodendrons like these are quite a niche plant, and if you can find them in your local plant shop, please support them. If not, try one of these Rare Plant Shops, there are lot popping up. If you know of any plant shops that should be on that list, please let us know. Or Etsy.

Philodendron Bloody Mary Scientific Name

Philodendron ‘Bloody Mary’.

Philodendron Bloody Mary Vs Red Emerald

The bloody mary and red emerald philodendrons are similar but can be told apart by looking at the stems and the newest leaves, on the bloody mary these are a dark red or burgundy color.

For more on philodendrons see our philodendron category with all our philodendron care guides.

Bloody Mary Philodendron FAQs and Common Problems

Overwatering and underwatering are common issues with philodendrons. The key is to give them well-draining soil and check them every week to see if they need watering.

Sunlight is also important as leaf color can change and become dull or even brown if not given enough sunlight. They can also become leggy if not given enough light. Be careful they don’t get too much though as direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

Also look out for pests like spider mites. For more on this see our Houseplant Pests and Problems section.

Is It Toxic To Pets?

It can be an irritant if ingested, seek vets advice if so.

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